Shoe construction



10, 1965 N. STEINBOCK 3,199,233

SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 11, 1965 Na ihan Sieinbock IN V EN T 0R.

52-4 M/v/W fliwys.

United States Patent 3,199,233 SHGE CGNSTRUC'HGN Nathan Steinbock, 1625 Sumner St. SW., Salem, Oreg- Filed Feb. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 257,437 2 Claims. (Cl. 325-445) This invention concerns a novel type of shoe, and more particularly a shoe comprising an upper and a heel and shank device to which the upper is secured. The shoe is comfortable to wear, has a sightly appearance, and because of the nature of its construction has good Wearing characteristics.

Thus, a general object of the invention is to provide a shoe featuring as part of the shoe a novel heel and shank device, and a novel construction whereby the shoe upper is secured to the heel and shank device.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide such a shoe wherein the upper has an expanse disposed under and secured to the underside of a shank portion in the heel and shank device, and includes a back portion that with the shoe worn covers the back and sides of a wearers heel, such back portion having a margin around the base thereof that is disposed outside of and secured to the back and sides of a heel portion in the heel and shank device. In an embodiment of the invention, the shoe may be constructed with the outer surface of the back portion of the upper substantially flush with the surface of that part of the heel portion that extends downwardly from the back portion.

A related object of the invention is to provide a shoe having a heel and shank device as described wherein an upper with a back portion is provided in the shoe, and the back portion of the upper has a lower margin that fits within a groove extending around the sides and back of a heel portion in the heel and shank device.

Another object is to provide a shoe including a heel and shank device wherein such device is provided along the top thereof with a concave recess shaped to receive the base of a wearers heel and adjacent parts of the foot. A shoulder that extends about the sides of the recess functions as a counter in the shoe, and holds a wearers foot properly centered in the shoe. The shoe upper extends downwardly to the outside of this shoulder, and is afiixed to the outside of the heel portion of the heel and shank device, in such a manner as to be held firmly in place.

A still further object is to provide a shoe of this description, wherein an inner layer or layers, such as a cushion insole, or sock lining, or both, extends over the inside of the shoe, from the forward end thereof and then back over the top of the recess in said heel and shank device, providing a continuous cushioned surface for supporting the base of the foot.

Other objects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the same is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe constructed according to an embodiment of the invention, with portions removed;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the shoe illustrated in FIG. 1, with portions of the shoe near the heel thereof broken away to illustrate details;

FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of portions of the shoe in FIGS. 1 and 2, drawn on a somewhat larger scale; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a heel and shank device such as may be used in the shoe construction.

Referring now to the drawings, the left one of a pair of womens shoes is illustrated, and such as indicated at ltl. Shoe 16 comprises a heel and shank device 12, and secured to device 12 an upper, indicated generally at 14.

ddhgldd Patented Aug. 10, 1965 Heel and shank device 12 preferably is a one-piece unit, and includes a heel portion 16 and a shank portion 18. Since the function of the shank portion of the device is to provide stillness in the shoe under the arch of the foot, and the function of the heel portion is to support the heel in an elevated position, the material used for the construction of the device is one that is relatively still and will provide proper support. In a typical construction, the device may be molded from a suitable plastic or synthetic material. Alternatively, wood or metal might be used. While a molded device or unit might be indicated for reasons of economy, it is not intended by this discussion to be limited to the use of any specific types of materials.

Shank portion 18 is joined at its rear end to heel portion 16, and extends downwardly and forwardly from heel portion 16. The forward end of shank portion 18 is bounded by an edge Ztl, that in the completed shoe normally is approximately horizontal and parallels the floor.

Along the top of the heel and shank device or unit there is provided an elongated concave recess 22, bounded by a shoulder 24. Recess 22 is shaped approximately to conform to the contour of the base of a Wearers heel and arch. As a result, when the shoe is worn, the heel and arch of the foot are supported comfortably by device 12, with shoulder 24 defining the sides of the recess holding the foot in proper position.

At 26 there is indicated a groove extending around the sides and back of heel portion 16 and adjacent the top thereof. The groove, as will be described, is used in connecting the bottom margin of upper 14 to the heel and shank device in the completed shoe. The top of heel portion 16 above the groove may be shaped, as in the embodiment illustrated, so that the outer surface of the upper is substantially flush with the surface of that part of heel portion 16 that extends below it, where the edge of the upper turns in and tits within groove 26.

Upper 14 of the shoe includes a front, toe-covering portion or forepart vamp 30, and from portion 34 extends rearwardly along the sides of shank portion 18, whence it terminates in a back portion 31 that with the shoe worn extends around the sides and back of the heel of a wearer. In a typical shoe, the upper may be made of a flexible material, such as a fabric, or leather. By proper cutting of the upper, the upper when positioned on device or unit 12 has flaps 32., 33 that extend inwardly under shank portion 18.

With the upper mounted on the heel and shank device as illustrated, there is also a margin 31a around the base of its back portion 31 that extends downwardly over the sides and rear of the top of heel portion 16. The bottom edge of margin 31a is fitted snugly with groove 26, and margin 310, including the bottom inturned edge thereof, may be suitably fastened to the heel and shank device, as by a suitable adhesive. Forwardly of the heel portion, flaps 32, 33 of the upper that underlie the underside of shank portion 118 may also be suitably secured together and to the shank portion. These flaps in the shoe constitute an expanse in the upper disposed in covering relation over the underside of the shank portion.

Along the base of the forward part of the shoe is an outer sole 34. This extends in the embodiment illustrated from the toe of the shoe rearwardly over part of flaps 32, 33, and is also suitably secured in place.

Completing the description of the shoe, on the inside thereof, and extending from the toe of the shoe rearwardly to the heel, there may be provided a continuous layer, such as a cushion insole of rubber or the like, and indicated at 36, and a sock lining of thin fabric or the like, and indicated at 38. These layers extend over the base of recess 18 and cover edge 2ft on the inside of to side. By securing the margin of the upper that extends about the sides and back of heel portion 16 to the outside of the heel portion, and also to the shank portion, shoulder 24 in effect functions as a counter in the shoe. Groove 26 enables the upper and heel portion to meet smoothly, and also promotes a secure connection of the upper with the heel and shank device. The provision tendencies of the upper to pull shank device.

While a specific type of womans shoe has been described, obviously features of the invention may be in types of footwear, such as mens and childrens shoes. It is not intended by the description herein to limit the invention to the specific organization disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a shoe; a heel and shank unit comprising a shank and a heel joined to the rear end of said shank; an upper secured to said heel and shank unit including a forepart vamp adapted when Wearing the shoe to extend over the top of the foot, opposed flaps integral with said forepart vamp extending inwardly from opposite sides of the shoe terminating in portions in covering relation over the underside of said shank and being secured to said shank, and back portions disposed outwardly and extending over opposite sides of the shank and about the outer back side of the heel in the heel and shank unit; and a sole "of the flaps that extend under the shank portion inhibits away from the heel and,

corporated in other types of womens shoes, and in other for the shoe under the forward part of the shoe disposed in covering relation over the undersides of said flaps of said upper. I

2. In a shoe; a heel and shank unit comprising a shank and a heel joined to the rear end of said shank; said unit including a concave recess in the top of the heel and shank unit that extends from the heel and downwardly along the top of the shank and that is shaped approximately to conform to the base of a wearers heel and arch; an upper secured to the heel and shank unit including a forepart vamp adapted when Wearing the shoe to extend over the top of the foot, opposed flaps integral with said forepart vamp extending inwardly from opposite sides of the shoe and terminates under the shank portion of the shoe, and back portions disposed outwardly and extending over the sides of the shank in the heel and shank unit where said sides bound said recess and about the outer and back side of the heel in said unit; said flaps including portions in covering relation over the underside of said shank and being secured to the shank; a sole for the shoe under the forward part of the shoe disposed in covering relation over the undersides of said flaps of said upper and extending partially over said flaps where they cover the shank; and means on the inside of the shoe'extending from the front to the back of the shoe and overlying the top of the heel and shank unit over a portion of its length.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,753,702 4/30 Griifiths 3624.5 X 2,114,399 4/38 vNutt 36-24.5 2,912,771 1 1/59 Harrison 36-245 X IORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SHOE; A HEEL AND SHANK UNIT COMPRISING A SHANK AND A HEEL JOINED TO THE REAR END OF SAID SHANK; AN UPPER SECURED TO SAID HEEL AND SHANK UNIT INCLUDING A FOREPART VAMP ADAPTED WHEN WEARING THE SHOE TO EXTEND OVER THE TOP OF THE FOOT, OPPOSED FLAPS INTEGRAL WITH SAID FOREPART VAMP EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SHOE TERMINATING IN PORTIONS IN COVERING RELATION OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID SHANK AND BEING SECURED TO SAID SHANK, AND BACK PORTIONS DISPOSED OUTWARDLY AND EXTENDING OVER OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SHANK AND ABOUT THE OUTER BACK SIDE OF THE HEEL IN THE HEEL AND SHANK UNIT; AND A SOLE FOR THE SHOE UNDER THE FORWARD PART OF THE SHOE DISPOSED IN COVERING RELATION OVER THE UNDERSIDES OF SAID FLAPS OF SAID UPPER. 